Bahamas Philately: 1965 Centenary of the International Telecommunication Union (1865-1965)

The International Telecommunication Union is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for many matters related to information and communication technologies. It was established on 17 May 1865 as the International Telegraph Union, making it the oldest UN agency.

The ITU was initially aimed at helping connect telegraphic networks between countries, with its mandate consistently broadening with the advent of new communications technologies; it adopted its current name in 1934 to reflect its expanded responsibilities over radio and the telephone. On 15 November 1947, the ITU entered into an agreement with the newly created United Nations to become a specialized agency within the UN system, which formally entered into force on 1 January 1949.

Details
  • Date of Issue: 17 May 1965
  • Date Withdrawn: 16 August 1965
  • Date Invalidated:
  • Designer: Michael Goaman
  • Printer: Joh. Enschedé En Zonen Hollande
  • Process: Lithography
  • Paper: 
  • Watermark: Multiple St Edward’s Crown Block CA
  • Perf: 11 x 11.5 (comb)
  • Plates:
  • Sheet: R10 x 5 (50 stamps)
  • Quantity: 

The rates used for this issue were selected by the Crown Agents in London. However, they did not apply to any postal rates at the time.

Subjects
First Day Cover (Official)
First Day Cover (Unofficial)

The back of this First Day Cover is stamp ‘Coin of the Realm‘ – a Nassau stamp dealer.

References